Sisyphus umbraphilus Daniel & Davis, 2016

Daniel, Gimo M., Davis, Adrian Lv., Sole, Catherine L. & Scholtz, Clarke H., 2020, Taxonomic review of the tribe Sisyphini sensu stricto Mulsant, 1842 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in southern Africa, including new species descriptions, Insect Systematics & Evolution 51 (1), pp. 1-61 : 26-27

Sisyphus umbraphilus Daniel & Davis, 2016 ( Figs. 8 , 9A )

Daniel et al. 2016: 67–69

Size: Male: length: 5.1–7.1 mm, width: 2.9–4.2 mm; Female: length: 5.4–7.4 mm, width 3.2–4.2 mm.

Type locality: Umfolozi, KwaZulu Natal ( South Africa)

Diagnosis: S. umbraphilus belongs to its own species-group. However, it is somewhat similar to S. oralensis . In this case, S. umbraphilus is distinguished by having tufts of epipleural setae. It bears relatively small ocellate punctures on the pronotum. Furthemore, In S. umbraphilus , the parameres are simple and attenuated towards the apex ( Fig. 9A ) whereas, in S. oralensis they are somewhat obtuse and truncated towards the apex ( Fig. 14A ).

Examined type material

Holotype: (♂ SANC): SOUTH AFRICA, KZN, Umfolozi 28°15’S 31°55’E, 1–7.x. 1970, leg: Bornemissza & Aschenborn . Paratypes: (3♂, 9♀ SANC) with the same data as holotype. (1♂, 2♀ UPSA): SOUTH AFRICA, KZN, Ithala Game Reserve 27°27’53.6”S 31°15’36.1”E, 13.i.1999, leg: Chown, McGeogh & Davis. (2♂ SANC): SOUTH AFRICA, KZN, Jozini 27°26’0”S 32°4’0”E, 15.x.1978, leg: Bornemissza & Aschenborn. (7♂, 14♀ SANC): SOUTH AFRICA, Gauteng, Pretoria , 35 km NE of Pretoria Farm 25°42’0”S 28°13’0”E, 12–13.xii.1983, leg: Davis. (1♂ SANC): SOUTH AFRICA, KZN, Weke-Weke Stream, Shongweni Farm 29°48’S 30°43’E, 11.xi.2010, leg: AJ Armstrong & G Van Bassouw .

Examined non-type material: See Supplementary information.

Distribution: S. umbraphilus has been recorded in patches of dense woodland and thicket in KwaZulu Natal ( Daniel et al. 2016) as well as in dense riverine woodland in North West Province ( South Africa). In Gauteng, it has been collected from shaded vegetation on deep sands ( Davis 1996) ( Fig. 10 ).

Figures

Fig. 8. Images of the habitus of the umbraphilus species-group: A. S. umbraphilus.

Fig. 9. Images of the aedeagi of the umbraphilus species-group: A. S. umbraphilus.

Fig. 14. Images of the habitus of the seminulum species-group: A. S. splendidus; B. S. oralensis; C. S. nanniscus; D. S. auricomus sp. n. Pronotal setation and punctation patterns of S. oralensis (E), and S. auricomus sp. n (F).

Fig. 10. Distribution maps for the umbraphilus species-groups.